Celiac Disease: What it is, who gets it, and what can be done.
Often overshadowed by high profile food sensitivity issues such as peanuts, celiac disease doesn't get the publicity is deserves to inform parents of this debilitating ailment. About 1child in 300 is diagnosed with celiac disease (An allergy to gluten or bread products) according to the NASPGHAN Celiac Disease Guideline Committee. This disease is becoming more common and is thought to be under-diagnosed by many doctors. Here is what you should know if you suspect your child has celiac disease.
What is It?
"Celiac disease is a food sensitivity to gluten, which is protein found primarily in wheat, rye, and barley," says pediatrician Dr. Alan Green, (http://www.drgreene.com/21_1043.html). A way to judge the risk of having celiac disease is taking a look at your family history, since the disease is genetic. It has also has been found to be more common in children with diabetes.
Gluten is found in most processed foods. So it comes as no surprise that the symptoms of celiac disease become clear three to five months after a child first consumes these foods, typically between the ages of six months and two years, the common age for children to start eating processed foods.
Irritability is one of the most common symptoms in children, though other symptoms can be:
- vomiting
- failure to thrive
- diarrhea
- muscle deterioration
- bloated belly
- tiredness
- irritability
It is also possible for some children to have no symptoms at all or a mixture of the above.
A child who is not diagnosed properly can go on to have osteoporosis, certain cancers, small stature, miscarriages, and other problems as an adult.
What Causes it?
Children who have celiac disease have an immune response to gluten that damages the lining of the small intestine. This flattens the lining of the intestine so it does not absorb and digest food the way it should.
What Can be Done?
A simple blood test can detect if your child has celiac disease. The blood test will show if your child has a IgA deficiency. It may be necessary to follow up with a endoscopy and small bowel biopsy if the blood test is inconclusive.
After a diagnosis, the disease is relatively easy to live with. Your child will have to return to their doctor after six months, then every year after to make sure that the he or she is growing properly.
Celiac disease is a life-long condition. The only way to 100% treat celiac disease is to feed your child a gluten-free diet at all times. Thankfully, gluten is not a dietary nutrient. Your child can still eat fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, milk, eggs, cheese, and breads that are marked as gluten-free. Be sure to stay away from processed foods such as chips, pastries, and crackers.
